Part I - The most commonly known and labeled senses are sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.

Considering this, please address the following

Do you think that there may be senses which do not necessarily receive information only from the
environment, but rather from within us as well? (For example, how do you sense that you are hungry? If
you hold your breath, which sense ‘senses’ that you need air? How do you sense the need for belonging?)

If you think that we may have more senses than the 5 noted above, would you provide your opinion on
why you think the dominant scientific community may not have considered more than the typical 5
senses? If you wish, you may use other references to strengthen or support your discussion.

How does a “definition” (for example, how we define the 5 senses) help or hinder us in knowing the
parameters of a concept, think about a concept’s potential for expansion, or keep a concept within known
boundaries?
Do you think that the definition of sensation needs to be expanded? Why?

The conventional idea of the five senses—sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell—has been a key
idea in comprehending how people experience their environment. Thoughts about how human perception
and cognition go beyond these traditional senses are being increasingly accepted in both scientific and
philosophical communities.
Extending the Senses Concept:
Internal Sensations:
It is becoming more widely acknowledged that people have internal feelings and perceptions that
have a big impact on our experiences and actions. Among these sensations include thirst, hunger,
proprioception (knowledge of one's body's location), interception (awareness of one's own body's interior
conditions), and even emotions. The term "sixth senses" is frequently used to refer to these interior
experiences metaphorically.
Besides internal feelings, humans also possess social and emotional senses. Our perception and
navigation of social interactions, empathy, and sentiments of belonging are made possible by these senses.
They are essential to our comprehension of social dynamics and emotional quotient.

The historical emphasis of the dominant scientific community on the conventional five senses
(sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) can be linked to a number of reasons:
1. Aristotle was one of the early proponents of this classification, and the idea of the five senses has its
roots in ancient Greek philosophy. This paradigm was persistent because it was firmly ingrained in
scientific and philosophical ideas over time.
2. The conventional five senses may be observed and measured, making them very simple to research.
They may be studied empirically and involve physical sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and skin).
These senses are easier to study scientifically since they are tangible and physical.
3. Cultural Influence: The traditional senses have a significant impact on both culture and language. The
five senses are important in daily life and thought, and this is reinforced by the idiomatic expressions,
metaphors, and notions found in many languages and cultures.

The Role of Definitions

The importance of definitions in influencing our understanding of ideas, particularly senses,
cannot be overstated. They set limits and criteria for what falls within the purview of an idea. Definitions,
however, can often constrain our thinking by producing rigid categories. Definitions should change as we
gain a better understanding of the world, to include any new information that comes to light.

Expanding the Definition of Sensation

A more thorough knowledge of the human experience can be achieved by extending the
definition of sensation to encompass not only the conventional outward senses but also internal
sensations, social perceptions, and emotional awareness. This extension acknowledges that our
perceptions and reactions are influenced by both interior states and social interactions in addition to
external inputs.

Here are some explanations for why the term "sensation" is being expanded:
1. Clinical Implications: Understanding the function of internal and emotional sensations is crucial for
diagnosing and treating disorders connected to mental health and wellbeing in disciplines like psychology
and medicine.
2. Interdisciplinary study: To better understand human perception and cognition, it promotes
interdisciplinary study that examines the connections between neuroscience, psychology, sociology, and
other sciences.
3. Benefits for Education: By broadening the notion of sensation, educators can improve curricula and
assist students in becoming more conscious of both their own and other people's experiences.
Last but not least, the idea of experience is expanding to include not just the conventional five
senses but also internal sensations and social/emotional perceptions. For a more accurate and thorough
knowledge of human perception and experience, as well as for addressing the intricacies of our mental
and social worlds, it is imperative to broaden this concept. It illustrates the evolution of scientific and
philosophical ideas that aim to embrace the complexity of human awareness and cognition.
Part II - What is the role of operant conditioning in our development of reading skills? How do these
skills become stronger and more “automatic”? Do you think that many of our “skills” follow the same
path of development, and why?

Operant conditioning, a method of learning linked to behaviorism, contributes to the growth of

reading abilities, especially in terms of reinforcing and enhancing these abilities. Following are some
examples of how operant conditioning helps reading skills grow and how abilities become more solid and
automatic:
1. Initial Learning: When someone initially learns to read, they start with fundamental abilities like letter
recognition and sound association. When a student receives praise for properly identifying letters, words,
or speaking sounds, operant conditioning is at work. A teacher might commend a student for correctly
identifying the letter "A" or reading a word aloud. This encouraging feedback motivates the child to keep
learning and honing their reading abilities
2. Automaticity: Consistent practice and reinforcement lead to the development of stronger, more
automatic reading abilities. People who read frequently have more effective cerebral connections for
detecting letters, words, and sentences. Faster and more accurate reading results from this improved
efficiency, which comes naturally.

3. Development of Fluency: Operant conditioning aids in the growth of reading fluency, or the capacity to
read fast and smoothly. Readers become more adept as they read accurately and fluently and gain praise
for doing so, which makes reading easier and less of an effort.
4. Self-Motivation: Over time, as people succeed at reading as a result of operant training, they could
develop an innate desire to read. Intrinsic motivation results from a person's innate enjoyment and interest
in reading, which supports the improvement of reading abilities.
5. Generalization: Reading abilities frequently transfer to a variety of contexts and materials. For instance,
a child who learns to read simple storybooks by operant conditioning can use those abilities to read
textbooks, signs, or digital content. Reading abilities can be transferred to many contexts and settings
with the use of operant conditioning techniques.
There are common principles in skill acquisition and development across multiple disciplines,
thus the answer to the question of whether many of our skills grow in a similar manner is yes. These
guidelines include steady improvement, practice, feedback, and reinforcement. The precise course of
development, however, might change based on the skill, the age and developmental stage of the person,
and the learning environment.
For instance, while motor skills, such as driving a car or playing an instrument, include
comparable concepts of practice and reinforcement, they are different from reading skills. Similar to how
each skill has its own specific development path, so do social, cognitive, and physical abilities.
In conclusion, operant conditioning aids in the development of reading skills by rewarding
appropriate actions and encouraging students to practice and improve their skills. While many talents
have some similar developmental principles, they also have particular requirements and characteristics
depending on the skill's specific area and the person's developmental stage.
Word count – 1287
References
Gao, Q., Ping, X., & Chen, W. (2019). Body Influences on Social Cognition Through Interoception.
Frontiers in Psychology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02066.
Nelkin, N. (1987). How sensations get their names. Philosophical Studies, 51, 325-339.
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354042.
Evans, M., & Carr, T. (1985). Cognitive Abilities, Conditions of Learning, and the Early Development of
Reading Skill.. Reading Research Quarterly, 20, 327. https://doi.org/10.2307/748022.